It’s no wonder 49ers rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard appears undaunted by the big stage of the NFL. Beathard grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, and hung out with some of the greatest country music legends of our day.
Beathard said as much on the Murph & Mac show Wednesday morning. Beathard’s dad, Casey, wrote songs for country music’s royalty including Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Trace Adkins and Billy Ray Cyrus. In fact, Beathard spent part of his youth at the Cyrus’ home, hanging out with Miley Cyrus and her younger brother, Braison, who’s now an actor and model.
“I didn’t really think much of it,” Beathard said. “Really wasn’t a big deal at all. They were just regular people.”
Beathard did say Miley was outgoing at a young age.
“She had a lot of confidence in herself,” Beathard recalled, but he didn’t think she would become a national sensation.
Beathard also plays a little guitar himself and as a youngster, formed a band with his two younger brothers. As the one who was least shy, Beathard was the lead singer of the group before younger brother Tucker took over.
“He probably should have been the lead singer all along,” Beathard admitted.
Now Tucker writes songs and sings as an aspiring country music artist in his own right. Beathard said he has an album coming out.
Football was also at the center of Beathard’s life, and he spent time around the Chargers when his grandfather, Bobby, was the team’s general manager. C.J. said he liked the late Junior Seau and former Chargers safety Rodney Harrison.
When Beathard reached Iowa, he grew out his hair and took on the nickname, “Sunshine” from his teammates. Beathard has since chopped his locks.
Beathard said Wednesday is a big day, with a team “lift” in the morning followed by walk-through and then the first practice of the week in the afternoon.
He said watching film from his first start against Dallas was a learning experience and that he has watched the tape a couple of times. Beathard will get his second career start Sunday in Philadelphia against the 6-1 Eagles.